Sorry to ask this ignorant question but what do Florida gators eat? I thought they were all meat eaters? Please don’t flame I’m just curious?
https://www.reference.com/pets-animals/food-chain-american-alligator-2b07526ac7c4da5d
Fish and turtles are the most important prey for most alligators, but they are not fussy eaters.
Other common prey species include snakes, frogs, toads, salamanders, birds, lizards, beavers, raccoons,
nutria, rats, crustaceans, mollusks, insects and smaller alligators. Young alligators feed on smaller prey,
including insects, frogs and fish. Alligators of all ages adapt to local food sources, but they are strictly
carnivorous and do not eat vegetation.
Wading birds, snakes, large fish, turtles, raccoons, foxes and larger alligators hunt young alligators. As
they grow, young alligators add more and larger prey to their list of acceptable food. Concurrently,
alligators fear fewer predators as they grow.
Alligators are an important part of freshwater ecosystems as they help to maintain balance among the
populations of small animals. Additionally, turtles and some other animals deposit their eggs in
alligator nests.
Small mammals— raccoons , squirrels, (dogs and cats
People do not leave animals out )
Since 1942? There have only been 26 human deaths by alligators.
from wiki
Diet
The type of food eaten by alligators depends upon their age and size. When young, alligators eat fish, insects, snails, crustaceans, and worms. As they mature, progressively larger prey is taken, including larger fish such as gar, turtles, and various mammals, particularly coypu and muskrat,[11] as well as birds, deer, and other reptiles.[22][23] Their stomachs also often contain gizzard stones. They will even consume carrion if they are sufficiently hungry. In some cases, larger alligators are known to ambush dogs, Florida panthers and black bears, making it the apex predator throughout its distribution. In this role as a top predator, it may determine the abundance of prey species, including turtles and coypu.[24][25] As humans encroach into their habitat, attacks are few but not unknown. Alligators, unlike the large crocodiles, do not immediately regard a human upon encounter as prey, but may still attack in self-defense if provoked.